Hello One and All! :) I've read more threads than actually posting any they're all very insighful! I have a query about boosters and parks.

My puppy is presently 9 weeks old. He's had all his 8 week vaccinations. With only two more boosters and a rabies shot to go. My question is... is it safe for him to walk in the park where other dogs go? Or should I wait for all his other boosters and rabies shot first? I have a backyard however a change of scenery would be fun.

Think about where you are, is it a niceer upscale park? If the dogs that go through look healthy and lcean that's a good sign! If you see people sort of just walking through with...less than quality... dogs (you know what I mean?) stay away.

What breed is your puppy?

Either way he needs socilization, and since he was had basic shots and I assume mom had her vaccines you will be all set.

Your pup should be ok. They need to be socialized regardless, but remember, german bred dogs are more prone to contacting parvo then american bred dogs for some reason. Just make sure the area is neat. If he is going to contact parvo, he can get it from the back/front yards or walking up your street. Just watch him and be careful. It would be difficult to hide him, or pen him up until he's 13-16 weeks :{.....anyways,,,use your judgement.

Hello ~Wandering Spirit~ Thanks for your reply! My puppy is a JRT named *Digger*. I'd have to say it's a bit of both who go there. I must admit that I've become one of those very protectective Puppy Moms! (LOL) Simply because puppies put everything into there mouths and he's so close to the ground. I guess I just worry a little as to where and what he's walking on.

Don't worry about it too much! Just use precaution, don't let you pup play in other dogs poo or anything! And when you let him meet other dogs, as I said take precaution, is the dog clean looking and appear healthy?

I wouldn't risk it... I would take my puppy to be socialized with my friends that I know took good care of the dogs, or try a dog show cause the dogs there are always current on vac's... Also do not let your puppy go nose to nose with others. It is a good way to pick up bordetello(kennel cough) distemper,flu etc. I would wait at least 2 weeks after the final shot to go anywhere uncontrolled,ie a dog park...Taking the pup to petsmart, petco etc is also a good way to socialize without a lot of contact with poop and nose to nose.

Wait until the shots are done with. Why chance it! If your pup is healthy and you take him now and he gets sick that would be horrible. Better to be safe than sorry! :) Our vet told us to wait until all the shots were done and our dog parks have rules posted and one thing on the list is that you have to be able to prove they have all their shots if you are asked.

I wouldn't take them to the dog park before all vaccinations are complete. I WOULD consider Puppy Kindergarten though (proof of current vaccination is required to get into puppy classes) or an environment where you can verify that all dogs that have been on premises are current on their vaccinations. Socialization is so important and starting young is also important. Take your puppy lots of places where you know the other dogs are current on shots (friends, family - don't be afraid to ask "What vaccinations has you dog had, and when was the last one").

My vet said not to take them out in public until they have at least 2 shots but he would recommend not until they are fully vacinated. That seems to be what all the vets around here say. I had a friend that had a poodle puppy that had had it's first shot, the only place she had taken it was Petsmart and to the vets. She even let it use potty pads instead of going outside because they lived in a very close neighborhood. Her puppy got parvo and almost died with all the precautions. The vet said it probably caught it at the pet store. My puppies never go outside my house until they are sold and I tell everyone my feelings and what they should do. If it is a puppy I keep it doesn't go out until fully vaccinated,

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!! Puppies should receive all 3 boosters and then you should wait 2 weeks after the LAST shot before you even contemplate taking your pup out in public places.

You can't tell by looking at other dogs whether they are incubating any potential viral disease, it takes 2-3 days of incubation BEFORE symptoms begin to show so you may think you are looking at a healthy dog yet that very dog is liable to come down with something only a matter of days down the track; besides it's not as if you are in a public place 24/7 to know of all the dogs that have walked the area, there could have been unhealthy dogs there for all you know. Another point to bear in mind is that some dogs are CARRIERS of disease without manifesting any symptoms themselves yet they can pass on the very disease that they carry and it can kill another dog especially a young pup.

A pup carries MATERNAL ANTIBODIES that it acquires from its mum and these antibodies have a tendency to NEUTRALIZE any vaccine that is given during this phase, that is why a series of 3 shots are given to a pup; it is hoped that a window of opportunity arises where the pup no longer carries any MATERNAL ANTIBODIES so that the 2nd or 3rd shot becomes effective. SOme dogs like rotties and dobes tend to carry antibodies for a while longer so are even more succesptible especially to parvo.

I know that it is important to socialise a dog but it is nevertheless a big risk....I would sooner wait till it has received ALL its shots than give it a premature death sentence.